Study With Passion

"We Should Study Systematic Theology With Rejoicing and Praise. The study of theology is not merely a theoretical exercise of the intellect. It is a study of the living God, and of the wonders of all his works in creation and redemption. We cannot study this subject dispassionately! We must love all that God is, all that he says and all that he does....  Doctrine is to be felt at the emotional level as well as understood at the intellectual level."

       - Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine:

Hat Tip:  DashHouse

Mark Driscoll Conversation with Wayne Grudem

Mark Driscoll recently interviewed theologian Dr. Wayne Grudem at A Conversation with Wayne Grudem | TheResurgence

In my time with Dr. Grudem I asked him a few questions that I thought would be worth sharing. (I informed him that I would blog his answers to ensure that he was respected.) I asked him which doctrines he would encourage young Christian leaders to devote themselves to studying as they prepare for what potentially lies ahead theologically. He said that for such a weighty question he would prefer to thoughtfully craft an answer, but did give two recommendations in the moment:

1. Scripture — He said that every issue ultimately hinges on one’s view of the inerrancy, authority, and truthfulness of Scripture in every way. He encourages all young Christian leaders to make sure that deep within them is a love for and trust in every word of Scripture as God’s perfect revelation to us.

2. Authority — He said that he sees authority as a pervasive problem in our culture. As we talked, it became clear that what he meant is that people profess to be Christians yet refuse to submit to God’s authority, including Scripture, and people God has ordained to be in loving authority, such as godly parents and pastors.

He summarized his points by saying that he aspires for Christians to believe whatever God says and obey whatever God commands.

Grudem has written two of the best theological primers available today: Bible Doctrine and Systematic Theology. The first was one of my textbooks in the Vineyard Leadership Institute curriculum. The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today is also very good. I highly recommend Wayne Grudem's books.

10 Tips on Bible Interpretation

The Pure Church Blog has 10 Tips from Wayne Grudem on Biblical Interpretation for preachers. Nothing spectacular or new - just good and basic advice.

1. Spend your earliest and best time reading the text of the Bible itself.

Well, D'oh!

2. The interpretation of Scripture is not a magical or mysterious process, because Scripture was written in the ordinary language of the day.

3. Every interpreter has only four sources of information about the text: (a) The meanings of individual words and sentences; (b) the place of the statement in its context; (c) the overall teaching of Scripture; (d) some information about the historical and cultural background.

4. Look for reasons rather than mere opinions to give support to an interpretation, and use reasons rather than mere opinions to attempt to persuade others.

5. There is only one meaning for each text (though there are many applications).

6. Notice the kind of literature in which the verse is found.

7. Notice whether the text approves or disapproves or merely reports a person's actions.

8. Be careful not to generalize specific statements and apply them to fundamentally different situations.

9. It is possible to do a short or long study of any passage. Do what you can with the time you have, and don't be discouraged about all that you cannot do.

10. Pray regularly for the Holy Spirit's help in the whole process of interpreting the Bible.